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The Fourth Girl Finally Discovers the Truth – Part 06

“Let’s just focus on the task at hand.”

Hikaru lit a magic lamp and started exploring the room.

“Hmm, what do we have here?”

Gagantos was rumored to collect rare books, but apparently, his collection extended beyond just books.

There was a skull made of pure gold, with gemstones embedded in its eye sockets. A morning star, stained and blackened with dried blood. A clearly forbidden book of curses, emanating an evil aura. A heart the size of a rugby ball, still beating. A demonic statue used in evil worship.

“The man’s got dark taste.”

Naturally, there were many books. Some had jeweled covers, others locked with magical seals, and there were even diaries of renowned saints.

“I feel like these diaries should be in the Church’s possession, not owned by an individual, even if he’s a priest. Oh, here it is.”

He found a book titled Research Notes on the Great Labyrinth of Runay-aas. He sensed a magical trap that could trigger an alarm if he lifted the glass case, so he cut the glass open with his knife instead and took the book. It was quite heavy.

“Might as well take the saint’s diaries too.”

Not wanting to owe Luvain, Hikaru decided to give them to him.

Taking a few books that belonged to the Church and some ledgers he found in a secret chamber, Hikaru left the mansion and headed straight back to the Tower.

He arrived past 4 AM, but Luvain was still awake.

“I expected you’d be back tonight,” the Pope said nonchalantly. But when he saw the books Hikaru brought, his face stiffened. “I’ll send the Knights Templar to Gagantos’s mansion immediately.”

Gagantos had some seriously incriminating items.

---

The mansion, formerly owned by a wealthy man and auctioned after his death, currently stood vacant. Nevertheless, it underwent annual cleanings, so it wasn’t entirely ruined. A derelict house in the Holy City of Agiapole wouldn’t escape the Church’s notice.

As the faint light of dawn tinged the eastern sky, two figures emerged from the mansion.

These beings, shorter by about a head compared to adult humans, paused as they traversed the awfully quiet streets.

“Wh-What is that?”

They were staring at a jet-black silhouette floating in the sky.

“That wasn’t there before.”

“Indeed. Could it be the reason the balance between souls and mana has been disrupted?”

“That seems to be the case. Will you go report it?”

“Of course. What about you, Raiga?”

Raiga kept his eyes on the sky. “I’ll stay here in the city to gather information.”

“Understood. Stay sharp. It’s been 30 years since you last came to the Holy City.”

“I know. You too, stay sharp.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Rikido might try something sneaky.”

“Heh. Didn’t expect that young one to have such grit.”

“Cut the nonsense. Anyone who disturbs the village’s peace will be punished.”

Rikido, also known as Granryuk, had been suspended for allowing Silver Face to leave the village without authorization. His actions garnered disapproval from many Man Gnomes, but some admired his guts, like those of the Distant Girdle.

“I’ll see you later.”

“Yeah.”

As his fellow Distant Girdle member returned to the mansion to use the Black Wedge Gate, Raiga looked up at the sky. There was an island floating up above like a cloud.

He could feel it saying, “I have escaped the bonds of the earth and am free.”

“Damn you, Saaks.”

Frustrated with their archenemy, Raiga subconsciously gripped his tool bag. Inside was a Tally he had taken from Rikido.

---

“Lord Hikaru, it’s morning.”

As the inn’s curtains were drawn open, morning light flooded the room.

“Ugh… just five more minutes.”

“It’s rare to see you oversleeping this much, Lord Hikaru. Oh, but you’re also adorable like this.”

“I’m getting up.”

“Huh?! Please stay asleep!”

“I can’t show you my face when I’m sleeping.”

“Why are you so cautious?!”

Hikaru sluggishly rose and washed his face.

“I just wanted to savor it,” Paula grumbled. “Lavia’s the only one with the privilege of seeing Lord Hikaru’s sleeping face.”

“…”

Glancing out the north-facing window, Hikaru saw the distant floating labyrinth. He wondered how Soaarunay felt right now. Was it a sense of accomplishment, or was she panicking because she’d messed up?

I could see it being the latter.

Hikaru lacked sleep, but there were tons of things that needed to be done today. First, he needed Paula to go meet with the Four Eastern Stars to share the information they had. And there was one more thing.

Hikaru needed to read the Research Notes on the Great Labyrinth of Runay-aas he had taken last night, and then…

“I need to check out the great pit underground.”

Hikaru believed that the earthquake four days ago was caused by the great pit. Unfortunately, his Instinct agreed with him.

There was a huge hole beneath the holy city. It had been sealed by the Church for a long time, and generations of popes had inherited its secrets. Because it contained the sin committed by the first pope.

There was no doubt that the Church was currently supported by its issuance of soul cards and guild cards. These cards allowed people to feel the presence of gods and receive their Blessings. It was also thanks to these cards that people believed in the teachings of the saints of the Church and the temples had a constant stream of visitors.

The one who invented these cards was a Man Gnome named Funai, who received the Blessing of the one-character deity, the Wisdom God. After leaving his home village, he spent his time conducting various research. Because of his impartiality and philanthropic heart, many people gathered around him, one of whom was the first pope.

Funai discovered the great pit in this land. Worried about the unholy miasma leaking from it, he conducted research on how to seal it. Among the methods he came up with was a diabolical one—using human lives and souls to obtain tremendous energy and execute the seal—but Funai deemed it taboo and did not use it.

However, the first pope went ahead and broke taboo, using the lives of none other than Funai and his devoted followers.

With the power of the already completed soul card and his companions, the first pope founded the Church.

Afterwards, the Church championed human supremacy, incorporating the doctrine of ostracizing demi-humans. Furthermore, the pope feared the Man Gnomes, who knew what actually happened back then, and this fear led to a war with the Confederacy of Einbiest in modern times.

In short, the great pit was a shameful secret for all the popes.

Ranna, a Man Gnome who received the backing of the previous pope, was researching ways to enhance the body through black magic, but when the war with Einbiest drove her to a corner, she fled to the great pit. The previous pope had suggested that Ranna might be able to use the malevolent energy sealed in the pit, and Ranna herself was eager to pursue this research. She subsequently removed the seal and fled to the depths.

Hikaru, Jillarte, and Gerhardt went inside and killed Ranna, but along the way they found the bones of Man Gnomes, ancient ruins, and a spot that emitted malevolent energy.

Afterwards, Luvain said that they had re-sealed the great pit. But could a place sealed using the lives of Funai and his followers over a thousand years ago be so easily re-sealed?

“I’ll go after I finish reading this.”

Hikaru decided to start reading the book.

---

After finishing breakfast, Paula wandered through the city.

This was actually her first time walking the streets of Agiapole. Born and raised in a church, she had always wanted to visit the Holy City, but the last time she was here, she hadn’t had the time to enjoy the sights.

After a surreal trip through the Black Wedge Gate, she was greeted by a baffling sight—a massive island floating in the sky. Then, they ran into Serika at the Adventurers Guild, and immediately left the city for the Einbiest encampment on the outskirts. It was already dark when they returned to the city, and suddenly it was morning.

The rush left no room for her to feel the awe of seeing the Holy City she had dreamed of.

I was expecting it to be more lively, Paula thought. It must be because of the dungeon floating in the sky.

Even with many people out on the streets, the atmosphere felt subdued.

Both the Church and Tower must be at a loss.

She glanced around and spotted the Tower, visible even in the vast city.

I’ll do what I can.

Paula hurried toward the hotel where the Four Eastern Stars were staying.